The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-05-20
A GREAT ENTERPRISE.
Science Allied With Love Makes G
Useful Circuit"

John Mills, the hero of this sketch
Gas railroad engineer, and had beer
for a long time in the company's EN-
ploy. When the new engine $50
was completed and placed on the road
John was given charge of it, and ht
erineed natural pride in his prefer
ment At one of the stations there
was young girl, telegraphic ope
rator, between whom and the engineer
there had sprung up a warm attach
ment, and whenever "59" came along
Kate generally managed to be at the
door and exchange signals with hel
lover. One day the train was detained
at the station, and the locomotive de.
tached and sent up the road to do some
additional work. and Kate went along
Cor a ride. AS she listened to the sharp,
shrill notes of the whistle, it occurred
b her that she might teach John to
sound her name in the Morse tele-
graphic characters, so that she could
distinguish his signal from that of the
'.other engines, whenever his train APP
preached. The plan worked to charm,
and far and near the whistle shrieked
Kate. until one day, as the operator
stepped upon the platform, she over
heard . conversation between two
young men, and learned that
they understood the signal and were
laughingly wondering who Kate
could be. Their means of communica-
-tion having been discovered. they were
obliged to discontinue it. In the mean
time Kate ha6, by means of the tele-
graph. made the acquaintance of a
young lady in . distant city, but whom
she had never seen, and to her she had
made known the fact that that secret
had been discovered. Then her friend
suggested plan as brilliant as it was
ingenious. 1t was simply to arrange
. means of Geographic communication
between the approaching train and the
station, so as to ring bell hidden
away in the closet in Hates Office, en-.
gine 49, being the only one provided
with means of completing the circuit,
which was done by laying the
poker upon the tender brake
80 as to touch the wire in passing.
Kate found an opportunity to acquain'
John with the proposed plan, and in
the meantime had found an abandoned
wire which ran for a long distance close
by the track, and which she proposed
TO use for carrying out her purpose
Thanksgiving Day came soon after.and
John fortunately having a holiday. he
and Kate went bravely to work, anG
before the day had ended the task wa:
a complete success. The dramatic
finale of their little episode is told in
the following:
II was singular how absent-mindet
md inattentive the operator was OF
the day that the great scientific enter
prise was finished. No wonder
she was disturbed. Would the new
line work? Would her little batter,
be strong enough for such a great cir
cult? Would John be able to close it
The people began to assemble for tn,
train. The clock pointed to the hou
for IFS arrival.
Suddenly. with startling distinctness
the bell rang clear and loud in TIL
echoing room. With cry of deligh
she put on her dainty hat and ran il
haste out upon the platform. The whis
tie broke loud and clear on the cool
crisp air, and 49, appeared round tn
curve in the woods. The splendi,
znonster slid swiftly up to her feet an.
paused.
Perfect, John! Perfect! 1t work
10 charm
With spring she reached the cab
and sat down on the fireman's seat.
BLESSED if could tell what he wa
going to 10" said the fireman. H
told me about it. Awful bright idea
You see, he laid the poker ON tn
feraer-brake there. and it hit the tre
siam. and l saw the wires touch. l
Eas Just prime
But the happy moments sped. an,
's.59' groaned and slowly departed
while Kate stood on the platform. ne
face wreathed in smiles and whit
steam.
So the lovers met each day. and nom
knew how she was made aware of hi
approach with such absolute certainty
Science applied to love, or rather Low,
applied to science, can move the world
Two weeks passed, and then Their
suddenly arrived at the station late on
evening special with the directors
car attached. The honorable director
were hungry-they always arcane
would pause on their journey and TAX
= cup of tea and a bit of supper. Tn
honorables and their wives and chill
sdren filed the station. and the plac
pnt on quite gala aspect. As 70
Kate, she demurely sat in her den
book in hand, and over its unrea,
pages admired the gay party in tn
Waifing-room.
Suddenly, with furious rattle. he
electric bell sprang into noisy life. Ey
cry spark of color left her face, and he
1ook fell with q dusty slam to the hoos